Maths and fear

The moment he entered the class,
I could feel something creeping down my spine.
As he moved between the benches,
Checking each of our notes,
There was a revolt
That would rise constantly,
From the pit of my stomach.
A deafening darkness
Fell into my eyes,
As I tried to concentrate,
And listen to what he was explaining,
But all I could hear,
Were the echoes of my heart
Rebounding in my ears.
I would cringe
As he moved closer,
To snatch my notebook.
No prayers made the sums easier,

My pages were smudged, erased and dirty,
But never correct.
He taught us maths,
I learned fear,
Fear of being ridiculed,

Of laying bare my ignorance.